Derper Guitar Mentoring |
GMC Forum > Discussion Boards > VINTAGE GMC > Community Activities and Tutorials > Ask an Instructor > Alex Feather|
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Aug 27 2012, 08:10 AM
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Hi! How are you doing? How was the wedding? I am very happy for you! Congratulations!
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Aug 29 2012, 10:41 PM
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Hey Alex, I'm finally back from wedding and such!!
EMULATOR is playing two huge convention/gaming gigs this month! Excited. I'm going to finish my assignment here within the week, after that rehearsal is done. For today, I'm excited to be practicing hard again so I'm focusing on getting chops back up. Here's my "I'm back" thread, which shows a couple things I'm warming up with today before hitting my EMULATOR material. https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=45810 --------------------   Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Aug 31 2012, 03:22 AM
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QUOTE (derper @ Aug 29 2012, 09:41 PM)  Hey Alex, I'm finally back from wedding and such!! EMULATOR is playing two huge convention/gaming gigs this month! Excited. I'm going to finish my assignment here within the week, after that rehearsal is done. For today, I'm excited to be practicing hard again so I'm focusing on getting chops back up. Here's my "I'm back" thread, which shows a couple things I'm warming up with today before hitting my EMULATOR material. https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=45810 Perfect! Let me know when you are ready! And we will continue mentoring program! I have a few good exercises to help you get back in shape faster! Let me know and I will post them! -------------------- |
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Aug 31 2012, 10:45 PM
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I'm ready to get back into it now. The last thing we were working on contained some theory stuff (playing the chord tones over the changes/backing) which is the "hard stuff" for me, since I am very lacking on the theory. I was just waiting until I had enough dedicated time to sit down and draw out all of the chord tones and intervals and actually "study" it over quite a bit.
But, I'm always ready to take in new practice routines, riffs, exercises etc... I'm just slower on the theory learning, because I don't know it that well. Sometime I would LOVE to learn a practice routine that includes some basic arpeggio shapes. I would really like to learn more arpeggios, because I only know a couple basic major and minor ones. I think this could help my theory as well, and to visualize the different intervals and chord shapes in different positions. QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Aug 30 2012, 07:22 PM) Perfect! Let me know when you are ready! And we will continue mentoring program! I have a few good exercises to help you get back in shape faster! Let me know and I will post them! -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 3 2012, 08:52 PM
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QUOTE (derper @ Aug 31 2012, 09:45 PM) I'm ready to get back into it now. The last thing we were working on contained some theory stuff (playing the chord tones over the changes/backing) which is the "hard stuff" for me, since I am very lacking on the theory. I was just waiting until I had enough dedicated time to sit down and draw out all of the chord tones and intervals and actually "study" it over quite a bit. But, I'm always ready to take in new practice routines, riffs, exercises etc... I'm just slower on the theory learning, because I don't know it that well. Sometime I would LOVE to learn a practice routine that includes some basic arpeggio shapes. I would really like to learn more arpeggios, because I only know a couple basic major and minor ones. I think this could help my theory as well, and to visualize the different intervals and chord shapes in different positions. I am glad you back! I understand that theory can be hard sometimes so we will take it easy!! And will do one step at a time! Good idea about learning arpeggios and some new exercises! I got a perfect lesson for you! https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Sweep-...-7th-Arpeggios/ It is based on G major scale so you will learn how to harmonize a major scale and will master arpeggios! I found five strings arpeggios are much easier then 6 strings and those shapes are very easy to sweep! Let me know what do you think! After you will get comfortable with this lesson I will show you how to combine arpeggios and create your own licks! Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! -------------------- |
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Sep 4 2012, 03:20 AM
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Ha! I LOVE that lesson, and worked on it very briefly when I first arrived to GMC!!
 BUT, being new at that time, I was "touching" on many lessons, as opposed to mastering a few. So I didn't get far, and I don't quite remember how to play it at the moment so I am more than happy to give it a real shot this time! I will admit that I am absolutely horrible at sweeping. Though I don't want to completely avoid sweeping, I also don't want my current sweeping abilities (1 out of 10) to hinder learning the arpeggios. So I may (unless you say otherwise, sensei) both practice it as intended and also as I would normally (alt picking) play it as well. I don't want to give the impression that I am reluctant to learn new things. I fully intend to be a "decent" sweep picker within the next 1-2 years. But, to describe my "reluctance" to spend too much time on any one thing.... it's time. I play in 2 gigging bands, work full time, and love my life outside of both. So, I try to focus on improving things that I need to improve on soon. Sweep picking, would only apply to EMULATOR, and our second guitarist Sam covers all of the sweep runs. He's light-years beyond me in the "shred" department, so we try to use our contrasting styles and tones to our advantage and embrace that, as opposed to fight it. So, where I DO want to learn sweeping for ME, I almost would be selfish to dedicate TOO much time in the next 9 months to sweeping, when it won't be applied to my projects. Also, EMULATOR is playing two of our biggest gigs this month. I hate to use that as an excuse, but my time may be limited again soon. BUT, I'm gonna try to work hard, practice a ton for the next 3 work days, and hopefully I can hit this as well and post results! QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Sep 3 2012, 12:52 PM) I am glad you back! I understand that theory can be hard sometimes so we will take it easy!! And will do one step at a time! Good idea about learning arpeggios and some new exercises! I got a perfect lesson for you! https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Sweep-...-7th-Arpeggios/ It is based on G major scale so you will learn how to harmonize a major scale and will master arpeggios! I found five strings arpeggios are much easier then 6 strings and those shapes are very easy to sweep! Let me know what do you think! After you will get comfortable with this lesson I will show you how to combine arpeggios and create your own licks! Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 4 2012, 11:47 PM
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I pretty much play EVERYTHING alt-picking, besides the few times in EMULATOR that require the classic downstroke power chord rock touch!
So for me, the sweep is harder....but only because I've neglected to put in the starter effort to get decent at sweeping. I'm going to try both, and submit a video for both ways.  QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Sep 4 2012, 03:44 PM) I am glad you are doing good and have some nice gigs lined up!!! Take your time!:) It is not necessary to play arpeggios using sweep only you can do alternative picking as well! This technique is much harder but you will develop a killer alternative picking! -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 6 2012, 06:19 PM
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Also, I got some time to sit down and draw out the notes that form the chords over the chord progression you last gave me....and, though I can do it "eventually", the chord progression is a bit "advanced" for me to come up with something fluid.
Perhaps we could do the same thing, but with a more basic progression? Meaning, a progression with either... -less chords in the total progression -moves a bit more slowly through the chords My problem is, with that progression....though I was able to break it down and solo somewhat over it by "feel" (well, feel mixed with some major/minor emphasis over the changes) I seem to be having a more difficult time emphasizing the 3rds and 7ths (chord tones) that you wanted me to hit, at that speed. I think my brain will be able to compute a progression that rolls through the changes a bit slower, or something more "classic" or basic. But, I do dig that backing track! Very creative. So today, I'll step back from that until we perhaps pick a different progression. And in the meanwhile I'll try to get through the arpeggio lesson and hopefully submit my first video to get some feedback. Thanks Alex!! QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Sep 5 2012, 10:59 PM) I like how you are taking extra mile with everything! It is very good! I am looking forward to hear your takes! -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 6 2012, 08:30 PM
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QUOTE (derper @ Sep 6 2012, 05:19 PM) Also, I got some time to sit down and draw out the notes that form the chords over the chord progression you last gave me....and, though I can do it "eventually", the chord progression is a bit "advanced" for me to come up with something fluid. Perhaps we could do the same thing, but with a more basic progression? Meaning, a progression with either... -less chords in the total progression -moves a bit more slowly through the chords My problem is, with that progression....though I was able to break it down and solo somewhat over it by "feel" (well, feel mixed with some major/minor emphasis over the changes) I seem to be having a more difficult time emphasizing the 3rds and 7ths (chord tones) that you wanted me to hit, at that speed. I think my brain will be able to compute a progression that rolls through the changes a bit slower, or something more "classic" or basic. But, I do dig that backing track! Very creative. So today, I'll step back from that until we perhaps pick a different progression. And in the meanwhile I'll try to get through the arpeggio lesson and hopefully submit my first video to get some feedback. Thanks Alex!! I totally understand!!! How about we will start with II - V - I progression I gave you a while ago? http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/ii-v-i-jam The chords are: Emi7 - A7 - Dmaj7 Let's start by writing out the chord tones! -------------------- |
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Sep 7 2012, 01:41 AM
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Update!!
I'll certainly be able to work through the chord tones a bit easier with that progression. Though I probably could have challenged myself to "build" something on the more complex progression, I feel like it would be so challenging that I would miss the real concept, and would simply be "memorizing" a chord tone solo that I built. Starting on the easier progression will allow me to actually learn the true concept a bit more. Looking forward to getting that done. I started working on the sweep arpeggios today. Good news is, I have challenged myself to actually sweep it. After about 20 mins of concentrated effort, I was able to "sweep" the first 3 arpeggios!! Not full speed of course, but it's nice to break through the "I can't sweep" barrier, into "I can kind of sweep, just a little, and not that well yet" territory! And these shapes are new ones to me, but I see the chord tones in it. I'm such a "hands-on" learner, that I need to keep at routines like this to actually feel and SEE the patterns. I really want to get a fret-light someday, to learn theory. I think it would work well for me. -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 11 2012, 08:33 PM
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I'm going to "challenge" myself, and try to figure out the chord tones w/out a guitar in my hands, and NO CHEATING this time!!
Emi7 is root, m3, 5, m7 I believe: E, G, B, D (realizing now, this is harder than I thought...with no guitar in hand!!) A7 is root, 3rd, 5th, 7th: A, C#, E, G (*NOTE: I broke my rule, and cheated to confirm the difference between a 7th chord and maj 7th chord. This proves my total lack of theory knowledge. But, that's why I'm here!!) Dmaj7: D, F#, A, C# That's my final-answer. Although, I will now look them up to confirm (so I'm not working with the wrong notes) but I wanted to quiz myself first! QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Sep 6 2012, 12:30 PM) I totally understand!!! How about we will start with II - V - I progression I gave you a while ago? http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/ii-v-i-jam The chords are: Emi7 - A7 - Dmaj7 Let's start by writing out the chord tones! -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 11 2012, 09:51 PM
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HOORAY!! Got it right, with no guitar in hand (the fretboard inside my head)!!
-------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 12 2012, 12:30 AM
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Here's a vid of me demonstrating the first 4 arpeggios. I really need to work on cleaning up my sweeps, and palm mute to avoid the excess noise. Also, to get a cleaner and more natural "sweep" motion. You can tell that my hand constantly wants to "come back" to alt pick.
Right now, I'm not 100% focusing on sweep technique. Working memorizing the shapes, and chord tones, not simply sweep technique. BUT, I will certainly try to work on all aspects of this lesson including theory and technique. Just pointing out that there is a ton of room to improve. -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 19 2012, 07:41 AM
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Here's my attempt at writing a riff around the chord tones of the II-V-I progression.
I have to admit, it was more difficult than I thought. I need to sit down and write/map out the specific notes that I'm trying to hit, perhaps. I'm so bad at theory, and thinking about what notes/intervals I'm playing. But, that's why I'm here I guess!! Also...I am working on this fun riff, as well! The video explains it, and at the end there is a slower/closer view of my fingerings and picking hand. -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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Sep 21 2012, 02:32 AM
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Also...what is "harmonization"? Or what does it mean to "harmonize a chord/scale"? I think I have a very vague concept, but I would like to learn more.
Is there an easy way to explain/practice this? As much as I hate the theory/book learning stuff, I feel like I need to tackle that beast at this point. But to start slowly. -------------------- Check out my awesome Nintendo Cover-band, EMULATOR!! http://www.reverbnation.com/emulator Now.....go practice!! |
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